2024 NFL Coaching Candidates That Teams Should Be Tracking over the Final Month

Only the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders have a head-coaching vacancy so far, but the league's carousel will pick up speed soon.

As the playoff race narrows, a couple of dismissals will likely happen. Those sporadic changes will lead up to what's become known as Black Monday, the day after the regular season ends—and when several more openings will be created around the league.

That means, of course, there will be replacements.

Among the many dozen candidates, a smaller group should be monitored especially closely. These coaches are expected to be the subject of numerous rumors in the closing weeks of the regular season.

The list is subjective but focuses on coaches with a true storyline to watch down the stretch, beyond their straightforward appeal as a candidate.

Jerod Mayo, the inside linebackers coach for the New England Patriots, is another to know. However, he's more likely the leading option to replace Bill Belichick than a top candidate around the NFL.

Mike Macdonald, Baltimore Ravens

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald before a game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens on September 25, 2022, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Mike Macdonald held various assistant roles with the Baltimore Ravens from 2014-20. He then headed to Michigan—jumping from John Harbaugh's staff to brother Jim Harbaugh—as the defensive coordinator and helped the Wolverines reach the College Football Playoff.

John Harbaugh quickly brought him back, handing the same reins to the quick-rising Macdonald.

And it's practically only been a success.

Baltimore ceded the third-fewest points last season and currently ranks second in 2023. The defense has yielded NFL-low marks of 5.6 yards per pass attempt and 4.3 yards per snap.

While his ultimate test awaits in the playoffs, Macdonald has a few massive opportunities on the horizon. Baltimore takes on the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins over the next three weeks. Jacksonville is a high-upside offense, while San Francisco and Miami are the league's two most productive scoring attacks.

Macdonald's profile is already strong but could get a significant boost if he outduels the Niners' Kyle Shanahan or Dolphins' Mike McDaniel.

Ejiro Evero, Carolina Panthers

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Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero looks on before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

On the polar opposite side of the record spectrum, Ejiro Evero is the defensive coordinator of the league's worst team. It's fair to wonder, in a vacuum, why he deserves attention as a potential head coach.

It's simple, really.

Despite the offensive woes, Carolina's defense is legitimately playing well. The impressive part: Evero is merely repeating what he accomplished with the Denver Broncos in very similar circumstances.

Last season, Denver averaged a league-worst 16.9 points. This year, the Panthers are 30th at just 15.2 per game. However, the Broncos still ranked third in yards allowed per play, and Carolina is currently ninth. Neither of the offenses have provided much help, yet Evero's units have remained competitive anyway.

Evero is already a qualified candidate. If the Panthers, in spite of a disastrous 1-12 record, keep playing at this level defensively to end the season, it's only a greater testament to Evero's leadership.

Dan Quinn, Dallas Cowboys

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 22: Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Dan Quinn sits in a highly advantageous position.

Each of the last two offseasons, the defensive coordinator has withdrawn from coaching searches and stuck with the Cowboys. He truly does not need to leave Dallas, even if that ultimately happens.

Quinn has absolutely thrived in his three seasons. The year before his arrival, the Cowboys ranked 23rd in yards and 28th points allowed per game. Dallas is presently third and fourth, respectively, with steady improvements during the previous two seasons, as well.

Similar to Macdonald, the defining moment for Quinn will arrive in the playoffs but follows a fascinating three-game run.

Dallas' upcoming slate includes trips to the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, then a home showdown with the Detroit Lions. Based on yards per play, all three are no worse than fifth in the league.

Quinn is certain to garner lots of interest this offseason, regardless of these results. For the Cowboys to overtake the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, though, his unit needs to contain three dynamic teams.

Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 23: Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions speak on the field prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on November 23, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will also be a worthy candidate this offseason. There's no question that offensive play-caller Ben Johnson is a hot commodity, though.

Put simply, the Lions' offense stunk after the franchise traded Matthew Stafford. Jared Goff had an unspectacular 2021 under Anthony Lynn, and he struggled badly for the first half of the 2022 campaign as Johnson shifted into an expanded role as the sole coordinator.

Since then, the partnership between Goff and Johnson has gone exceedingly well. Detroit ended on an 8-2 run last season and currently stands atop the NFC North at 9-4.

But the Lions are starting to deal with pressure.

How will Johnson handle the first success-bred discomfort of his time as a coordinator? Detroit is two games in front of the Minnesota Vikings, yet the division rivals play twice in the final four weeks. Plus, the Lions recently fell to both the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Intra-division losses sting the most.

Johnson is aiming to steady the Goff-led offense and guide Detroit to its first division crown in 30 years.

Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 2: Head coach Jim Harbaugh applauds as Mike Sainristil #0 of the Michigan Wolverines holds up the MVP trophy following the Big Ten Championship against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Two years ago, Jim Harbaugh interviewed with Minnesota but didn't receive an offer. Soon after that, he said it would be the last time he pursued an opportunity in the NFL.

Well, not quite.

Harbaugh understandably scratched the itch again following the 2022 season, formally meeting with Denver and informally with Carolina. Along the way, he's led Michigan to three straight Big Ten titles and three appearances in the College Football Playoff.

It's only reasonable to expect his name to appear in several coaching searches, especially since Carolina is open again.

The fascinating part will be the wait.

Whenever a new NFL job opens, his name may be connected. Given the stakes of Michigan's next game—a showdown with Alabama in the CFP—there won't be real movement on the Harbaugh front, however.

Although conversations will happen in the background, Michigan is working to book a trip to the national championship—which happens on Black Monday, incidentally. Harbaugh himself will presumably (and rightfully) be quiet on the subject, but the noise around him might not.

Brian Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson looks on during the game between the San Fransisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 3, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

As with Ben Johnson in Detroit, Brian Johnson is starting to face a bit of adversity with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Yes, they are 10-3 and destined for the playoffs. Yes, they have a favorable path to winning the NFC East—and, with a little help, might snag the No. 1 seed in the conference once again.

Philadelphia, though, needs to respond after consecutive blowout losses to the 49ers and Cowboys. Blame can be split fairly between the offense and defense, but scoring a combined 32 points opposite the NFC's two best teams certainly isn't good enough.

Still, be careful not to get caught in the micro.

Johnson served as the quarterbacks coach in 2021 and 2022 before assuming play-calling duties as the coordinator in 2023. He's helped turn Jalen Hurts into an MVP-caliber quarterback.

The resume is solid. And if Philly bounces back quickly, Johnson's status as a coveted candidate will be intact.

Eric Bieniemy, Washington Commanders

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ARLINGTON,TX - NOVEMBER 23: Washington Commanders offensive Eric Bieniemy with quarterback Sam Howell (14), left, during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX on November 23, 2023. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

From my perspective, if the Washington Commanders wanted to give Eric Bieniemy a trial run, it would've just happened. The team had the latest possible idle Sunday this season (Week 14) but decided to keep Ron Rivera, even as his future in Washington is murky at best.

No matter what the Commanders' new ownership is planning, though, Bieniemy will again be a popular name.

After winning two Super Bowls as the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator, he headed to the Commanders with a chance—fair or not—to prove himself as a play-caller outside of Andy Reid's oversight this season. The results, while not overwhelming, have been positive; first-year starter Sam Howell looks like a long-term solution at quarterback. Bieniemy deserves a portion of that credit.

What's looming to close the year? Oh, merely a gauntlet.

Washington still has three top-eight defenses—most notably, the 49ers and Cowboys—left to play. Closing the campaign with a few strong performances, even if the Commanders lose, would help shape a positive narrative for Bieniemy entering the offseason.